STUDY OF ORCHIDS DIVERSITY IN KOLLI HILLS, EASTERN GHATS, TAMIL NADU.

Abstract

The present paper deals with the diversity of orchids in kolli hills. In past years above 70 sps of Orchids distributed in kolli hills.(Karuppasamy et al., 2009). But currently 42 species are dominant over in this area. Among this habitats Epiphytic 52.38% of Orchids contributed higher percentage followedby Terrestrial 42.86% and Lithophytic 4.76%. Epiphytic Orchids are highly trophical and sub-trophical in distributed. Most of orchids like Eris, bulbophyllum keitense and Habineria are in extinct stage because of deforestation and utilization. In this stage conservation of Orchids is most important. The collected orchids are listed below according to their alphabetical order.